Well, the image Kevin posted above was specifically called "a render of what might be possible on next generation hardware" by EA in the original CNN/Money article it was posted in, while the shot from their website I posted (which does look similar) is referred to on the EAGames link as an "Exclusive Next Gen screenshot".

EA will evidently have an unveiling of the next-gen version of Madden during the first hour of the NFL Draft on Saturday. It will only be shown once during the Draft and is a 60-second spot. Guess I'll have to set the VCR so I can see it in case I miss part of the draft on Saturday.

I've heard about the rumor. Was wondering if you all think the Madden curse remains after Ray Lewis?

Well, they didn't make the playoffs. Seriously though, people can probably bring up a bunch of reasons as to why the curse may still be going. It may not have been as strong this past year, but I'm sure someone can come up with something.

I thought it was announced already that McNabb is the cover model for Madden 2006.

EA has not confirmed it as of yet. Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal was the one who broke the story on it. I believe they were the ones who broke about EA going after the NFL over a year ago, but I could be incorrect on that one.

I would guess it would be announced on soon who the cover athlete is...if not on Saturday with the NFL Draft preview.

According to the below article from IGN, these screenshots (and what you'll see in the commercial) aren't actual footage but an artist's conception of what the game might look like. They go on to add though that EA thinks the visuals might look better then what we've seen.

Color me skeptical- at least for this year's version. If they are six months from release I would expect they would be able to come up with some real footage, especially if its truly better than what we see here. I'm sure that we will get to these level of visuals but it might not be until a few years into the next-gen.

Yeah, I think it has already been said that the commercial was what might be possible via an artist's perception. EA says the real thing will be better...we shall see. I'm betting it will be at E3 for Xbox 360, but we shall see if it is pre-rendered or actual gameplay.

Yeah, I think it has already been said that the commercial was what might be possible via an artist's perception. EA says the real thing will be better...we shall see. I'm betting it will be at E3 for Xbox 360, but we shall see if it is pre-rendered or actual gameplay.

Oooh hmm, interesting. Guess I missed that :?

In that case, from a more "conceptionalization" point of view, I didn't like how the movie was almost like a NFL Blitz kind of thing. Well, when the camera was swooping around the stadium, these big flood lights were scanning the dark dim-lighted field. Kinda weird.

Poo. Guess I should have looked into what the commercial was going to be.